Alabama’s spring air is warm, but the real estate market gets hot in the spring and early summer. New listings and new buyers mean now is the time to prep your home and complete projects that will make your listing stand out. Curb appeal and a clean interior can be accomplished with some weekend labor while larger projects may require calling in professionals. Here are the prep tasks and projects that will make your house shine in the spring market.
Evaluate the Exterior
Drive by your house like a potential buyer. The exterior is your home’s first impression. Would you pass or stop and take a look inside? The goal of a well-kept exterior is to entice potential buyers to walk through the front door.
• Make a list of any needed updates like paint, stain, pressure washing, fresh plants and flowers, and mulch for flowerbeds. Most of these tasks can be accomplished quickly and inexpensively.
• Clean windows and screens.
• Remove any personalized doormats, signs, flags, or sports team items.
• Inspect for damage that a home inspection may uncover later – especially fascia, soffit and roofing.
• Check the backyard and declutter the patio or deck area.
• Make sure outdoor furniture is clean and cushions are in good condition.
• Clean up anything left behind in the yard by pets.
• Remove or store kids’ play and sports equipment.
• Mow the lawn, trim shrubs and get weeds under control.
• Clean or paint the mailbox and replace numbers if needed.
• Repair and/or re-stain the deck, privacy fence or decorative fencing.
You can often get the best return on investment (ROI) for renovations that buyers see before they even walk through the front door. “Renovations like a garage door replacement, siding updates, adding a deck and creating a grand entryway all see high ROI.”
Inspect the Interior
Go over every room as if you were a home inspector. You can even go a step further and hire your own home inspector so you will know beforehand what is likely to show up in the inspection that counts. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 77% of home buyers have an inspection done before completing a home purchase.
• Declutter and declutter some more. Make sure every room has a clearly defined purpose and eliminate any unnecessary furnishings or barriers that make it difficult to move around.
• Organize closets, garages, basements, and attics. Consider storing out-of-season clothing to maximize closet space.
• Remove clearly personal items and photographs so the house is the star of the showing.
• Repaint where needed and touch up scratches on wood floors.
• Clean and clean some more. Kitchens and bathrooms should be sparkling clean and smelling fresh. Repair missing grout.
• Consider staging – especially if you’re no longer living in the home. Staging can help potential buyers see the property as a home.
Prioritize Projects
Updated exteriors and interior spaces create a wow factor for potential buyers but a complete reno can be costly. ForbesHome suggests small to mid-size updates over complete remodels for maximum ROI.
• Kitchens and Baths –Your best money is spent in these two areas. Assuming cabinets are in good condition, a good cleaning or repainting and new hardware can change the entire vibe of a kitchen or bath. If they need more TLC, refacing cabinets is an affordable option to replacing. Lighting is another easy update such as new pendant lights over the kitchen island to bathroom vanity lights. Larger projects that add value are new floors, countertops and backsplashes. Don’t forget faucets and showerheads. Small kitchen and bathroom fixture changes are easy upgrades that make a big impact.
• Repaint – Paint is a cost-effective way to spruce up a home’s interior. Remember, to use neutral colors for the widest appeal. Painting exterior doors and shutters is a quick refresh to a home’s exterior. Again, choose colors that work well with the home’s exterior finishes.
• Hardware – Old doorknobs can make a home look outdated. Look for new trends and finishes in interior and exterior door hardware for another easy update. In a few hours your new hardware will add a fresh look and a potential buyer will notice right away.
• Floors – Refinish hardwood floors, if needed. Consider replacing dingy carpet with hardwoods or vinyl.
• Patios and Decks – Functional outdoor spaces like patios and decks are attractive to buyers, especially covered sitting areas and grilling stations.